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The Corpus Christi Basque Club, in the Argentine province of Misiones, has once again met the challenge.  Undeniable proof of its capacity to meet challenges is the unprecedented Basque-Argentine-MbyaGuarani Cultural Festival that this small Basque club recently held successfully.  The event was focused on featuring not only the Argentine culture, but also that of the Mbya Guarani people, who are native to the area.  It was also attended by references of the Basque Diaspora in the area.

Corpus Christi, Argentina.   The club’s president only had words of thanks for everyone who helped with the festival last weekend.  But the truth is that the community that she leads is to thank for holding this first festival that not only included the national culture, that of immigrants from the Basque Country, but also that of these original peoples of America.

The program of activities began on Saturday the 22nd with the awards ceremony for this year’s “Amazing Stories,” Literary Contest.  The contest that enjoys international renown was launched this year with a novelty, including the language of the Mbya Guarani.  Winners follow:

Spanish Category:

-First Prize, ‘La caja de Elisa’ (Elisa’s box) by José Luis Chaparro (Badajoz, Spain)
-Second Prize, ‘Almas perdidas’ (Lost souls) by Norma Ester Morell (Arroyo Dulce, Argentina)

Basque Category:
-First prize was shared by David Birenbaum with his story ‘Inauteriak’ (Carnival) (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and Agurtzane Iturre with ‘Antxonen bizitza berria’ (Antxon’s new life) (Bizkaia, Euskal Herria)

Guarani Category:
-First prize, ‘Jahe´o’ (weeping) by Juan de Dios Domínguez (La Matanza, Argentina)

For geographic reasons, not all of the winners were able to be in Corpus Christi to receive their awards, but some did travel to Argentine Mesopotamia to attend, and also share a moment with contest organizers.  This is the case of Norma Ester Morell, Juan Osvaldo Barrios who received special mention in the Spanish category and Juan de Dios Dominguez winner of the Guarani language category.  Carlos Gabilondo was also invited by the club to show a Basque film also received the award on behalf of David Biernbaum as both are members of Euskaltzaleak.

After the awards ceremony, winners and companions and club representatives enjoyed a tour of the area guided by Jlio Markiewics, member of the club’s board.  The visit included the place where the Jesuit city of Corpus Christi, Puerto Maní, was located on the Parana River, a bergamot plantation, whose juice is exported to Europe and used in the manufacturing of perfumes, and Mr. Markiewicz ‘s farm with yerba mate and citrus crops.

The day concluded with a BBQ by Nestor Markiewicz, owner of the farm, and Ana Maria Macchi Echagüe, club vice-president.

On Sunday, July 23rd, the Basque-Argentine-Mbya Guarani Festival lunch was held in the city hall with a menu of pintxos, and Basque lentils prepared by the Alkartasuna group from the Iparraldeko Euskal Etxea led by Cesar Arrondo. After lunch, activities included in the workshops held at the Basque club like dancing, singing, and theater took place.  Finally, the “Nuestro Canto” group from Obera got everyone on the floor with their Argentine folklore.

The second day of the festival concluded with the showing of the film The Negotiator thanks to Carlos Gabilondo.  In the discussion after the film, Professor Arrondo also participated.  It should be noted that those responsible for the traveling film series, Norma Carrizo and Carlos Gabilondo, had recently arrived from Cuba where they participated in the Havana Basque Club’s 140^th anniversary festivities, and presented the Corpus club with a gift from Havana’s Basque community.

“In synthesis, a festival to be remembered.  These types of activities encourage us to continue our work with more effort and enthusiasm,” Olga Leiciaga told EuskalKultura.com.